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Rorty's IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) Design
Alfalfameister - 4/7/06 at 12:32 AM

Has anyone tried Rorty's IRS?

They say that it is difficult to goof up a live axle, and easy to badly design an IRS. However, a properly designed IRS should outperform (albeit marginally) a live axle.

In smooth roads (of which there are hardly any, even the local race tracks we have here), I understand that live axle vs IRS vs DeDion is marginal. But for everyday driving, the IRS could be more comfortable.

Rorty's design looks great... but does anyone have any actual feedback?

Thanks!

kb58 - 4/7/06 at 01:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Alfalfameister
In smooth roads (of which there are hardly any, even the local race tracks we have here), I understand that live axle vs IRS vs DeDion is marginal. But for everyday driving, the IRS could be more comfortable.


Exactly, as long as his IRS has a lower unsprung weight, you will be happy with it because it will not give a harsh ride.

That's the catch, for a smooth ride, it doesn't matter what type of suspension it is, as long as it has a low unsprung weight.

locostv8 - 4/7/06 at 04:48 AM

I will but not yet.

Alfalfameister - 4/7/06 at 07:53 AM

Well, I must have misled folks about my comments regarding comfort. That is all well and good, but what I'm really after is performance, specifically, for the track.

I'm wondering if Rorty's IRS design will have problems such as jacking, or bad handling, etc.

I'm no Allan Staniforth, so I can't comment on Rorty's design other than it looks good. Any Staniforth-type fellow here who can comment on Rorty's design? Or is Rorty a Staniforth-type fellow already (in which case, I can sleep well knowing his IRS is designed well).

phelpsa - 4/7/06 at 12:19 PM

Rorty is a Staniforth type person

procomp - 4/7/06 at 01:21 PM

Hi if it's for track use then you can't beat the live axle on this type of car paticulary if you use a load of antisquat. It's the lightest option. you can have camber and toe and with the right damper set up the extra unspung weight will not be to bad a problem. Oh and its verry simple. Look at all the badly desighnd irs setups that are available on locosts at the moment one even goes in to poss camber during corners.

cheers matt